Park Address

6990 Bluff Drive
Arpin, WI 54410

Park Description

Powers Bluff Park and Winter Recreation Area is located 2 1/2 miles southwest of
Arpin; or 17 miles northwest of Wisconsin Rapids; or 15 miles southeast of Marshfield.
The area can be easily reached from U.S. Highway 10 or from STH 73 via County Highway
E.

Seventy acres of Powers Bluff is a Scientific Preservation Area. There is a 1.5
mile self-guided nature trail. Indian dance rings and burial grounds are preserved.

There are eighty acres to the South that are marked as State Historical Site.

Powers Bluff is the 13th highest point of elevation in the State of Wisconsin at
1,472 feet.

Winter Sports Activities

A two-story stone shelter building serves as a warming house, in which a concession
operates during the hours the park is open for recreation and may be reserved during
the summer and winter season. For more information about the enclosed shelter available
for reservation, download the Powers Bluff
Enclosed Shelter Brochure (PDF).

Three trails are available for skiing. The length of these trails are 1,320 ft.,
1,410 ft. and 1,500 ft. Two ropes are operated, one for skiing and one for tubing.
The estimated vertical drop is 250 ft. Skis, boots, and poles for downhill skiing
are available for rental in the concession area.

An area west of the shelter building has been provided for tubing. A tube will be
provided when you purchase your tube hill ticket. No outside tubes are allowed.
One person per tube. It is recommended that a parent or guardian provide supervision
for their children.

Installed during the 2002-2003 season were two handle tow lifts, which replace the
tube tow rope. This improvement should help with delays waiting for the tow and
give you more riding time. The tube hill has also been modified from three to four
tube runs, with reshaping of two tube runs for a more thrilling ride.

Skiing and Snow Tubing Hours of Operation & Fees

Powers Bluff Recreation Area is open to the public for tubing, skiing, and snowboarding from
10AM-4PM on weekends only. Open Saturday & Sunday and during the school Christmas vacation,
weather permitting and when snow conditions allow. Closed on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.

Group Use During Normal Hours

For groups using Powers Bluff Winter Sports Area during normal operating hours,
the fees are as above. The shelter is open to the general public and no additional
shelter fee is charged. The shelter is on a first come, first serve basis. In the
shelter, there are electrical outlets for your use. You may bring your own food.
There is a privately-operated concession stand open at this time. There are two
fireplaces in the shelter. These are available for your use and wood is provided.

Special Group Rates (weekday)

Groups wishing to use the Powers Bluff Shelter and Winter Sports Area downhill skiing
or tubing facilities during weekdays not open to the general public, may call in
and make a reservation for tubing or skiing for Monday thru Friday (snow conditions
permitting). The reservation may be any three-hour period between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m.

All private party reservations include the use of the shelter house for 3 hours. Additional shelter use will be
charged $50/hr. Groups may bring in their own food and beverages. If you request the concessionaire, please
call us at the Parks Department at 715-421-8422.

All reservations will be made and paid for at least two weeks in advance. If the
group cancels, all but $25.00 will be refunded. If Wood County cancels due to weather
or any other reason, a full refund will be returned.

All tow line users are required to have a tow line ticket. All groups may bring in their own food and beverages. Any groups
needing to
rent downhill ski equipment or would like the food concessions available, must arrange
this by contacting the Wood County Park & Forestry
Office.

Ski Safely

Always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing
that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed
below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.

Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.

People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.